Top 4 records set by Zinedine Zidane
Zinedine Zidane is unquestionably one of the greats of the game, with many heralding the Frenchman as the best player of his generation.
When pundits and commentators compile their all-time starting XI's Zidane almost always seems to make the squad sitting centrally at the heart of the team.
The French-Algerian legend's graceful style, exquisite skill, and unmatched footballing intelligence captivated the world for over a decade and although there is a younger generation who only know Zidane the 'manager' there are still those who remember Zidane the 'player'.
Winning virtually every accolade wherever he went, Zidane could turn any team into champions and was never reliant on a certain squad or a certain system to elevate him.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic stated, "When Zidane stepped on the pitch, the 10 other guys suddenly got better." This is the impact Zidane had on a football game and for this, he is a totally unique footballing specimen who turned a brutish game into artful elegance.
#1 Only player to win the European Championship, the World Cup while being the best player in both tournaments
Unlike some players who only deliver for their club teams, Zidane was arguably at his very best when he donned the French national kit with the French maestro translating his club success into the national team as well.
There is nothing that illustrates this better than his record of being the only player in history to win the World Cup and the European Champions while being named the best player at each tournament.
This record is so astounding as it shows that not only was he part of a squad that won international trophies but also that he was the best player in the world.
This is important as it shows that he wasn't carried by his team to success but was the key element of the French squad that elevated them to the eternal glory of winning these trophies.
To win both the World Cup and Euros is a rare feat in football, but for a player to win both and take home the best player of the tournament award in both is a complete one off with Zidane being the only player to do this and for that reason this is perhaps his best record.